Soli-tricky! (Solitaire)

Member Name: B_O_M_B_A_

Product:	Solitaire
Date:	30/09/08 (126 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Can keep you entertained on those rainy days

Disadvantages: Near on impossible to complete.

My first run in with Solitaire was around my Aunties house at a very young age, it took me a while to grasp the concept of the game but after a while I was pulling off some pretty good performances. The game is actually very easy to understand, you play on a circular (usually wooden) board that has 33 dimples shaped in a cross formation and a circular dimple cut all the way round its outside edge. At the beginning of each game you have a small marble sized ball in each dimple except the middle one (32 balls in total). To complete the game you have to end up with just one ball left in the middle dimple that was originally empty. To remove a ball you must jump over it with another piece that is directly adjacent to it, this can only be done in straight lines however, no diagonal moves, once a ball has been removed it is placed in the dimple around the outside.

Apparently the best way to approach the game is to work around the outside, start on the outside of the board and work your way around left or right, this should hopefully leave you with mostly the middle balls left, meaning when it comes to getting a ball in the middle it is easier, saying this I haven't yet managed to complete the game, I was once left with two balls but that's as close as I can get...Although the game isn't difficult it can be disheartening, if you aren't successful it means you have to replace all the balls and it can get annoying after a few games.

Although the game is designed for adults and children alike I would be careful giving it to young children, the pieces are very small and present a very real danger to any baby or animal who may think they look like sweets. I once accidentally swallowed a marble and believe me it wasn't a pleasant experience trying to get it out...Their size also means they are very easy to misplace, especially in transit, their circular shape means they can role and role and end up in the most ridiculous places. Luckily the shape of the pieces doesn't effect the game so you can easily replace the ball with anything else, it just won't have the unified look.

The game reminds me a lot of solitaire on the PC, not because of how you play it but of how annoying it is when you don't complete it after playing for the past five minutes. I'm sure there is a very easy way to complete it but so far the answer has evaded me, maybe one of you knows the way?...its one of those games that if you complete it you will never be able to do it again the same way, but i guess that improves its repeat play value.

The game can be picked up from any decent toy shop and some supermarkets; it will usually be priced around the £2 - £3 mark, with the nicer sets reaching £7 - £8. In my opinion it's worth spending the extra money on a nicer set, and then it can be used for decoration. Like chess its one of those games that when people see it in your room makes them think, 'Ahh, they are an intellect', when in reality you haven't got a clue how to complete it.

Unfortunately I haven't got a set of my own so haven't played it for a while, I might pick one up just to keep me entertained during those boring times. I would advise anyone to purchase it that enjoys testing their mind, or just a bit of fun. I wouldn't buy it for children under the age of 6 because they probably won't understand it and may swallow one of the balls.

Summary: A good challenge after a few beverages.